St Lucia

St Lucia, just north of St Vincent and south of Martinique, is one of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean. The stunning mountains, the Pitons, are the island’s landmark and are home to pristine forest heritage reserves. On the east coast the Heritage Tourism Association of St Lucia (HERITAS +758 458 1454) will organise tours to Piton Flore Nature Trail, and the Atlantic Coast Hike. South of the capital is the majestic 12 acre grounds of the Mamiku Botanical Gardens (+758 455 3729). On the hillside is La Toc Battery (+758 451 6300), a British Military base on 2.5 acres that dates back to 1888. Marigot Bay is the yachting area where you can watch great sunsets.

The tourist board can also organise a Castries Heritage Walk (+758 452 5005) centered around Derek Walcott Square, named after St Lucia's Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (+758 450 0551) is located here, as is the Samaan tree that is over 400 years old. A beautiful deep red Victorian style building, dating back to 1888, houses the Central Library of St Lucia (+758 452 2875). The Castries Central market, which was originally constructed in 1894, is a vibrant part of the capital where you can buy almost anything.

The best view of Castries is from Morne Fortune (Hill of Luck) 800ft above sea level. It was once a strategic 18th-century fortress but is now home to the prestigious residential area where the Governor General lives and the Victorian Government House (+758 452-2481) can be found. Built in 1865, Le Pavillon Royal House Museum can be visited within the grounds (free entry), a small museum with documents and artefacts pertaining to the Government House.

St Lucia has two seasons: the wet period of June- December and the dry in January-May. The wet season extends over the school summer holidays, but the rain is not constant and dries up in no time giving way to temperatures in the 30s°C. This is also the time of the year when hotel rates are most competitive.

Local history

The colonial heritage of St Lucia stems from the first European arrivals in 1638. The French then claimed the island in 1642, with a counter-claim in 1660 from Britain, which sparked battles with France until 1814 when the Treaty of Paris gave control to Britain. It was not until 1979 that St Lucia gained its full independence, an event which is commemorated each year on 22 February.

Local politics

In light of the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007, St Lucian prime minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony stated that tourism is the way forward for development. He says the government needs to upgrade and expand the Beausejour Cricket Ground, reconstruct the road network and improve the water supply.